Load control device

ABSTRACT

A load control device for continuously running a source of power in a hydraulically activated system is disclosed having a housing carrying an idler bearing adapted to engage a belt driven by the source of power. A fluid inlet is associated with the housing and is in fluid communication with means for disengaging the bearing from the belt under no-load or dead-end conditions in the system.

United States Patent [191 Fifield Jan. 15, 1974 [54] LOAD CONTROL DEVICE296,099 4/1884 Zastrow 74/240 [76] Inventor: Ralph R. Fifield, 49 BonnieBrae,

Nova), m 94547 Primary ExaminerCharles J. Mylhre AssistantExaminer-Frank l-l. McKenzie, Jr. [22] F'led: May 1971 Attorney-Mellin,Moore & Weissenbcrger [21] Appl. No.: 141,506

[57] ABSTRACT 2 {2 5 74/242 11 A load control device for continuouslyrunning a [58] Fieid I218 source of power in a hydraulically activatedsystem is 192/82 T 240 disclosed having a housing carrying an idlerbearing i P adapted to engage a belt driven by the source of power. Afluid inlet is associated with the housing and [56] References Cited 1sin fluid communication with means for disengaging the bearing from thebelt under no-load or dead-end UNITED STATES PATENTS conditions in thesystem. 259,350 6/1882 Windbiel et al. 417/223 X 863,450 8/1907Rosenblatt 417/223 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PAIENIED JAN 1 51974SHEEI 1 BF 2 INVENTOR.

RALPH R. FlFlELD ATTORNEYS I NVEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS PATENIEB JAN 1 5 I974 SIKTZBFZ RALPH R. FIFIELDv I LOADCONTROL DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention Theinvention relates to load control devices, and, more particularly, to ahydraulically activated system for enabling drive shafts coupled to asource of power to continuously run under no-load conditions when afluid supply exceeds the demand or under dead-end conditions.

i 2. Description of the Prior Art Hydraulically activated devices arewell known for dispensing oil, paint, water, or the like. Generally,such devices are motor driven, as by any suitable power source, such aselectric motors, gas engines, etc. If the supply of fluid being used,such as paint or oil, exceeds the demand for such fluid or dead-endconditions exist, it is necessary to shut down the power source.However, certain power sources, such as gas engines, cannot be readilyshut off and then turned orl again. Also, with certain fluids, such asoil, very expensive bypass control valves or the like are required ifthe unit is deactivated for any reason. Further, with certain fluids,such as paints, the paint aerates if the pump pumping the paint is notshut off when no-load or dead end conditions take place.

There thus exists a need for a device which would enable drive shaftscoupled to a power source to continuously run under no-load or dead-end:conditions. Such a device should be readily usable with any conventionalmotor or gas engine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide aload control device for enabling power sources in hydraulicallyactivated systems to run continuously under all conditions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide apparatus which cancontinuously run a source of power under noload conditions where a fluidsupply exceeds the demand, or under dead-end conditions.

These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing ahousing carrying an idler bearingwhich is adapted to engage a beltdriven by a suitable source of power. A fluid inlet is associated withthe housing and is in fluid communication with means for disengaging thebearing from the belt under no-load or deadend conditions in ahydraulically activated system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded view, partlyschematic, of suitable apparatus for carrying out my invention; and

FIG. 2 is a vertical view with portions omitted for convenience ofillustration of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,FIG. 1 shows a system for carrying out my invention. A suitable sourceof fluid supply is introduced into the system 10 through fluid inlet 11.This inlet 11 leads into a suitable pump 12, shown schematically, whichpump may be a piston type, gear, rotary, etc. In any event, fluid ispumped from pump 12 through fluid supply line 13 and through a tee joint14. The branch portion 15 of joint 14 leads into a load control device16 which is shown in detail in FIG. 2 and will be explained more fullyhereinbelow. As shown in FIG. 1, load control device 16 includes ahydraulic cylinder section 17 which fits into a subhousing section 18,section 18 including suitable mechanism thereon for engaging the belt 19of a V-belt drive section 20. Section 20 in turn fits onto the upper endof a main housing section2l. Sub-housing section 18 fits onto the bottomof main housing section 21 as shown. Main housing section 21 may includesuitable gear reduction mechanism therein. (not shown), if de sired. Inany event, driving connection is provided between drive shaft 22 drivenby main pulley 23 of belt drive section 20, through the aforementionedgear re duction mechanism, and crank shaft 24 which extends out of mainhousing section 21 and is in turn connected to suitable operatingmechanism of pump 12 (e.g., the piston rod of a piston pump).

All of the above mechanisms and sections are coupled together bysuitable nuts and bolts oe the like, screws, etc. The exact relationshipof the various mech anisms of these sections will lie-described morefully hereinbelow with respect to FIG. 2. The main outlet 25 of teejoint 14 leads to a suitable hydraulically actuated mechanism, such as aspray gun 26. Of course, such mechanism may comprise hydraulicallyactuated cylinders, motors, controls, etc., and is thus not limited tonozzles or spray guns.

The apparatus described hereinabove with respect to FIG. 1 and moreparticularly the load control device 16, enables the drive shaft 27 ofFIG. 1 which is C011- nected to pulley 28 to run continuously underno-load conditions when the fluid supply to system 10 from inlet 11exceeds the demand of spray gun 26 or the like, or under dead endconditions in system 10. Drive shaft 27 is connected to a suitable powersource, such as motor 29. This power source may be an electric motor, agas engine, power take-off shafts, etc.

In operation, if the fluid supply through line 13 from pump 12 and tospray gun 26 exceeds the demand, or system 10 is under dead-endconditions, perssure in line 13 increases and this increase in pressureis fed thorugh the branch portion 15 of tee joint 14 into the hydrauliccylinder section 17 (see FIG. 2) of load control device 16.

Thus, referring to FIG. 2, load control device 16 is shown in detail.The hydraulic cylinder section 17 (see also FIG. 1) includes a hydrauliccylinder 30 having a piston 31 mounted therein. Piston 31 includes anupwardly extending piston rod 32 affixed thereto. Cylinder 30 is, ofcourse, sealed with bottom plate 33 having a suitable passageway 34 influid communication with branch portion 15 of tee joint 14. Cylinder 30also includes a top plate 35 having a suitable passageway 36 throughwhich the upper end 37 of piston rod 32 passes. Suitable bolts 38'extend between plates 33 and 35 for securing the plates together. Theupper portion of cylinder section 17 includes a top plate 38 bolted tothe top plate 35 of cylinder 30 through suitable bolts 39.

A heavy duty compression spring 40 is disposed within the upper portionof cylinder section 17 and re tained therein by bolts 39 and plates 35and 38. A platen 41 is positioned immediately above piston rod 32. Thisplaten 41 is any desired configuration, preferably a disk-like elementhaving a recessed portion 42 on its lower surface (i.e., portion 42 doesnot go all the way through platen 41). The upper end 37 of piston rod 32abuts against recessed portion 42 (i.e., the diameter of portion 42generally conforms to the diameter of rod 32). A washer-like element inthe form of an I-bolt 43 or the like is disposed above platen 41 andbelow the lower end of spring 40. As can be seen more particularly inFIG. 1, l-bolt 43 includes an integral pin portion 44 extendingoutwardly therefrom and past bolts 39.

It can be seen that, when fluid is introduced into cylinder 30, piston31 is moved upwardly with rod 32 pushing both platen 41 and l-bolt 43against spring 40 which compresses. The degree of compression of spring40 is, of course, related to the pressure of the fluid from pump 12.Although a specific arrangement has been disclosed for moving I-bolt 43(and, of course, integral pin portion 44) upwardly, any suitablefluidactuated mechanism may be used.

Referring once again to FIG. 1, any suitable means may be used to securecylinder section 17 to subhousing section 18. The only requirement isthat pin portion 44 extend out of subhousing section 18 through a slot45 at the lower end thereof and into an aperture 46 formed in the plateportion 47 of arm 48.

The upper end of arm 48 includes an aperture through which an activatingbar 49 extends. Bar 49 is pivotally attached at point 50 to the front ofsubhousing section 18 by any suitable means, such as a U- shaped member51. A spring 52 is disposed between member 51 and arm 48. Rollers 53 and54 are disposed at each end of bar 49. These rollers are mounted so thatthey bear against suitable parts on sub-housing section 18. Thus, roller53 bears against a pressure plate 55 which is pivotally attached to thefront of sub-housing section 18 as at pivot point 56. Pressure plate 55is held in fixed position by a release arm 57 having a slot 58 forreceiving the upper end 59 of plate 55. Arm 57 is also pivotallyattached to the front of sub-housing section 18 at pivot point 60.

Roller 54 engages a cam surface 61 formed on a pressure arm 62. Theradius of bar 49 between pivot point 50 and roller 54 is related to theradius defined by cam surface 61. Arm 62 is in turn pivotally mounted onthe front of sub-housing section 18 at pivot point 63. An idler bearing64 is mounted on pressure arm 62 by any suitable means (e.g., a suitablenut-and-bolt arrangement 65). It can be seen from FIG. 2 that roller 54is retained on bar 49 by a U-bolt 66 connected thereto so that the armsof U-bolt 66 also serve as means for retaining cam surface 61therebetween and thus in contact with roller 54.

Referring back to FIG. 1, drive shaft 22 is adapted to receive mainpulley 23 thereon. Belt 19 thus extends about main pulley 23 and pulley28 which is not mounted on sub-housing section 18 but of course includesdrive shaft 27. In this arrangement, as can be seen in FIG. 2, idlerbearing 64 bears against V-belt 19. A belt confining pin 67 extendsoutwardly from pressure arm 62. The belt 19 thus passes between pin 67and idler bearing 64. A like pin 68 extends outwardly from release arm57 (at the point of connection 60 of arm 67 to section 18). At thispoint, belt 19 is confined between pin 68 and pulleys 23 and 28.

Pressure arm 62 is biased for disengagement of idler bearing 64 withbelt 19 by spring 69. Spring 69 is connected at one end 70 tosub-housing section 18 and at the other end to arm 62, as by a U-bolt 71pivotally connected to arm 62 at pivot point 72 and having an S-hook 73coupled to spring 69. Of course, any suitable arrangement may be used tobias arm 62 for disengagement of bearing 64 from belt 19.

As can be seen, pressure plate 55 is held into engagement with rollers53 by means of the notch or slot 58 in release arm 57.

In operation, with the various mechanisms in engagement as shown in FIG.2, V-belt 19 is driven by drive shaft 27 which is coupled to a powersource and pulley 28 coupled to shaft 27 which pulley 28 in turn drivesmain pulley 23, pulley 23 being mounted on drive shaft 22. If necessary,drive shaft 22 is coupled to suitable speed reducing gears (not shown)within main housing section 21 which gears operate crank shaft 24 (FIG.1). Of course, drive shaft 22 may be coupled directly to crank shaft 24,if possible.

As discussed hereinabove, crank shaft 24 is connected to the actuatingmechanism, such as the piston rod (not shown) ofa suitable pump 12. Pump12 generates fluid pressure, as also discussed hereinabove, which fluidflows through line 13 to tee joint 14 and thus to the nozzle of spraygun 26.

When the pressure in line 13 exceeds the demand or is under dead-endconditions, fluid flows thorugh tee joint 14 into cylinder 30 forcingpiston 31 and its rod 32 (FIG. 2) upwardly against platen 41 which inturn compresses spring 40 and moves pin portion 44 upwardly within slot45 and thus moves arm 48 so that activating bar 49 pivots on pivot point50 causing the outer end of bar 49 to move rollers 54 along cam surface61 to surface 74 so that pressure arm 62 moves in a direction away fromengagement with V-belt 19. This, in turn, releases the engagement ofidler bearing 64 with V-belt l9, deactivating pulley 28, drive shaft 22and pump 12. The V-belt 19 is guided downwardly by V-belt confining pins67 and 68.

When the pressure in the fluid supply line 13 decreases, piston rod 32and piston 31 are forced downwardly by the pressure of spring 40, thuscausing the activating bar 49 to move along surface 74 to cam surface 61causing the idler bearing 64 to again engage V- belt 19 activating themechanism so pressure pump 12 again operates to increase pressure of thefluid in the fluid supply line 13.

In this way, the power force affixed to shaft 27 continuously operatesand the pressure of fluid in the fluid supply line 13 may always bemaintained at a predetermined pressure.

I claim:

1. A load control device for continuously running a source of power in ahydraulically activated system comprising:

a housing;

a fluid inlet associated with said housing;

idler bearing means carried by said housing adapted to engage a beltdriven by said source of power; and

fluid activated idler bearing disengagement means associated with saidhousing and in fluid communication with said inlet for selectivelydisengaging said idler bearing means from contact with said belt, saidfluid activated idler bearing disengagement means including aspring-biased hydraulic cylinder mounted on said housing in fluidcommunication with said inlet, said cylinder having a piston movabletherein by the introduction of fluid into said cylinder and a piston rodconnected to said piston, the movement of said piston rod effectingselective disengagement of said idler bearing means from contact withsaid belt, and said idler bearing means including a cam surfaceassociated therewith, and roller means coupled to said piston rod inrolling engagement with said cam surface, the movement of said pistonrod being adapted to move said roller means into and out of engagementwith said cam surface to selectively engage and disengage said idlerbearing means from contact with said belt, said disengagement meansincluding an activating bar pivotally connected to said housing andmovable upon movement of said piston rod, said roller means beingdisposed at one end of said bar and second roller means disposed at theother end of said bar bearing against a pressure plate mounted on saidhousing.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said pressure plate is pivotallymounted on said housing and held in fixed position relative thereto by arelease arm pivotally mounted on said housing, said release arm havingmeans thereon adapted to engage said plate and hold it in selectivefixed position.

3. Apparatus for continuously running a source of power comprising:

a fluid supply inlet;

a fluid discharge outlet in fluid communication with said inlet;

a branch portion disposed between said inlet and outlet in fluidcommunication therewith, said branch portion opening into a fluidhousing inlet of a houisng;

pumping means associated with said fluid supply inlet for pumping fluidtherein;

idler bearing means carried by said housing engaging a belt driven bysaid source of power;

fluid activated idler bearing disengagement means associated with saidhousing and in fluid communication with said fluid housing inlet forselectively disengaging said idler bearing means from contact with saidbelt;

first pulley means associated with said housing driven by said belt foroperating said pumping means; and

second pulley means having a drive shaft connected thereto coupled tosaid source of power for driving said belt when said idler bearing meansis in engagement with said belt, said fluid activated idler bearingdisengagement means including a springbiased hydraulic cylinder mountedon said housing in fluid communication with said fluid housing inlet,said cylinder having a piston movable therein by the introduction offluid into said cylinder and a piston rod connected to said piston, themovement of said piston rod effecting selective disengagement of saididler bearing :means from contact with said belt, and said idler bearingmeans including a cam surface associated therewith, and roller meanscoupled to said piston rod in rolling engagement with said cam surface,the movement of said piston rod being adapted to move said roller meansinto and out of engagement with said cam surface to selectively engageand disengage said idler hearing means from contact with said belt, saiddisengagement means including an activating bar pivotally connected tosaid housing and movable upon movement of said piston rod, said rollermeans being disposed at one end of said bar and second roller meansdisposed at the other end of said bar bearing against a pressure platemounted on said housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said pressure plate is pivotallymounted on said housing and held in fixed position relative thereto by arelease arm pivotally mounted on said housing, said release arm havingmeans thereon adapted to engage said plate and hold it in selectivefixed position.

1. A load control device for continuously running a source of power in ahydraulically activated system comprising: a housing; a fluid inletassociated with said housing; idler bearing means carried by saidhousing adapted to engage a belt driven by said source of power; andfluid activated idler bearing disengagement means associated with saidhousing and in fluid communication with said inlet for selectivelydisengaging said idler bearing means from contact with said belt, saidfluid activated idler bearing disengagement means including aspring-biased hydraulic cylinder mounted on said housing in fluidcommunication with said inlet, said cylinder having a piston movabletherein by the introduction of fluid into said cylinder and a piston rodconnected to said piston, the movement of said piston rod effectingselective disengagement of said idler bearing means from contact withsaid belt, and said idler bearing means including a cam surfaceassociated therewith, and roller means coupled to said piston rod inrolling engagement with said cam surface, the movement of said pistonrod being adapted to move said roller means into and out of engagementwith said cam surface to selectively engage and disengage said idlerbearing means from contact with said belt, said disengagement meansincluding an activating bar pivotally connected to said housing andmovable upon movement of said piston rod, said roller means beingdisposed at one end of said bar and second roller means disposed at theother end of said bar bearing against a pressure plate mounted on saidhousing.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said pressure plate ispivotally mounted on said housing and held in fixed position relativethereto by a release arm pivotally mounted on said housing, said releasearm having means thereon adapted to engage said plate and hold it inselective fixed position.
 3. Apparatus for continuously running a sourceof power comprising: a fluid supply inlet; a fluid discharge outlet influid communication with said inlet; a branch portion disposed betweensaid inlet and outlet in fluid communication therewith, said branchportion opening into a fluid housing inlet of a houisng; pumping meansassociated with said fluid supply inlet for pumping fluid therein; idlerbearing means carried by said housing engaging a belt driven by saidsource of power; fluid activated idler bearing disengagement meansassociated with said housing and in fluid communication with said fluidhousing inlet for selectively disengaging said idler bearing means fromcontact with said belt; first pulley means associated with said hOusingdriven by said belt for operating said pumping means; and second pulleymeans having a drive shaft connected thereto coupled to said source ofpower for driving said belt when said idler bearing means is inengagement with said belt, said fluid activated idler bearingdisengagement means including a spring-biased hydraulic cylinder mountedon said housing in fluid communication with said fluid housing inlet,said cylinder having a piston movable therein by the introduction offluid into said cylinder and a piston rod connected to said piston, themovement of said piston rod effecting selective disengagement of saididler bearing means from contact with said belt, and said idler bearingmeans including a cam surface associated therewith, and roller meanscoupled to said piston rod in rolling engagement with said cam surface,the movement of said piston rod being adapted to move said roller meansinto and out of engagement with said cam surface to selectively engageand disengage said idler bearing means from contact with said belt, saiddisengagement means including an activating bar pivotally connected tosaid housing and movable upon movement of said piston rod, said rollermeans being disposed at one end of said bar and second roller meansdisposed at the other end of said bar bearing against a pressure platemounted on said housing.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein saidpressure plate is pivotally mounted on said housing and held in fixedposition relative thereto by a release arm pivotally mounted on saidhousing, said release arm having means thereon adapted to engage saidplate and hold it in selective fixed position.